Tom Brady Leaving Patriots, Thanks for the Memories!

Tom Brady is making it official ... he's leaving the New England Patriots after 20 seasons (and 6 Super Bowl rings) and continuing his NFL career in another city.

TB12 posted a long thank you message to Patriots Nation on Tuesday morning explaining he will always cherish the memories ... but it's time to leave.

"I wanted to say thank you to all of the incredible fans and Patriots supporters. MA has been my home for twenty years," Brady wrote.

"It has truly been the happiest two decades I could have envisioned in my life and I have nothing but love and gratitude for my time in New England."

He continued, "The support has been overwhelming - I wish every player could experience it. My children were born and raised here and you always embraced this California kid as your own. I love your commitment and loyalty to your teams and winning for our city means more than you will ever know."

"I can't thank you enough for the support of our team. The packed training camps and sold out stadiums and mostly the victory parades. I have been so blessed to share them with you all. I tried to represent us always in the best and most honorable way, and I fought hard with my teammates to help bring victory and triumph even in the most dire situations."

"You opened your heart to me, and I opened my heart to you. And Pats Nation will always be a part of me."

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I will always love you and what we have shared - a lifetime full of fun memories."

There's more ... Brady also shouted out Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft and everyone else in the Pats front office -- saying, "thank you for the past twenty years of my life and the daily commitment to winning and creating a winning culture built on great values."

"I am grateful for all that you have taught me - I have learned from everyone. You all have allowed me to maximize my potential and that is all a player can ever hope for."

"Everything we have accomplished brings me great joy and the lessons I have learned will carry on with me forever. I couldn't be the man I am today without the relationships you have allowed me to build with you."

"I have benefited from all you have given me. I cherished every opportunity I had to be a part of our team, and I love you all for that."

So, what's next for the 42-year-old quarterback?

He's reportedly being pursued by the Tampa Bay Bucs, Las Vegas Raiders, L.A. Chargers and others.